Spain: Felipe's Decisive Victory

The first sign came from the northern provincial capital of Huesca, a
traditionally conservative area, where the early returns showed the
Socialists well ahead. Next came coastal Pontevedra, a longtime
franquista stronghold in Galicia, which the Socialists came
surprisingly close to carrying. Then the southern province of Alrneria,
another conservative bastion, fell to the Socialists. Finally the
rose-colored tide rolled across the plains of Old Castile.

By 11:55 p.m. last Friday, four hours after the polls closed, the
outcome was already clear: a decisive victory for the...